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Terror detention announcement due Terror detention announcement due
(10 minutes later)
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is due to announce the government's revised plans to extend the period that terrorism suspects can be held without charge. Prime Minister Gordon Brown had said a "growing weight of opinion" backed extending limits in certain situations. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is due to announce the government's revised plans to extend the period that terrorism suspects can be held without charge.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown had said a "growing weight of opinion" backed extending limits in certain situations.
Ministers have struggled to find support for increasing the detention period beyond the current 28 days.Ministers have struggled to find support for increasing the detention period beyond the current 28 days.
It is thought a compromise will be suggested, with MPs' approval sought if someone was to be held for longer.It is thought a compromise will be suggested, with MPs' approval sought if someone was to be held for longer.
A 42-day limit has apparently been discussed. Previously ministers had proposed extensions to 56 or 58 days.A 42-day limit has apparently been discussed. Previously ministers had proposed extensions to 56 or 58 days.
But civil liberties groups have accused ministers of abandoning consensus and playing politics with terror laws.But civil liberties groups have accused ministers of abandoning consensus and playing politics with terror laws.
Doubts raisedDoubts raised
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said that apart from senior police officers, opinion had largely been opposed to extending the limit.BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said that apart from senior police officers, opinion had largely been opposed to extending the limit.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, the former Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, and for a short while the Security Minister Lord West, all expressed doubts that longer detention was needed.The Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, the former Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, and for a short while the Security Minister Lord West, all expressed doubts that longer detention was needed.
The Home Affairs Committee, which meets to consider the issue later, is also believed to be unconvinced.The Home Affairs Committee, which meets to consider the issue later, is also believed to be unconvinced.
A Home Office spokesman said: "We believe there is a case for going beyond 28 days in the future.A Home Office spokesman said: "We believe there is a case for going beyond 28 days in the future.
"We have consulted widely on how this might work in exceptional circumstances.""We have consulted widely on how this might work in exceptional circumstances."
Terror 'arms race'Terror 'arms race'
Shami Chakrabarti, director of civil liberties campaign group Liberty, accused the government of abandoning attempts to build a consensus on the issue.Shami Chakrabarti, director of civil liberties campaign group Liberty, accused the government of abandoning attempts to build a consensus on the issue.
"It seems more like politics than policy-making to me. I think it is a real mistake as I've never seen such good will in the House of Commons," she said."It seems more like politics than policy-making to me. I think it is a real mistake as I've never seen such good will in the House of Commons," she said.
"I believed there was a unique opportunity to end the arms race on terror laws, to actually achieve something that would last beyond just one government.""I believed there was a unique opportunity to end the arms race on terror laws, to actually achieve something that would last beyond just one government."
Liberty and the Conservatives have argued that current powers to call a national emergency are sufficient when faced with a case that requires going beyond 28 days.Liberty and the Conservatives have argued that current powers to call a national emergency are sufficient when faced with a case that requires going beyond 28 days.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said every piece of evidence had been against extending the limit.Shadow home secretary David Davis said every piece of evidence had been against extending the limit.
"Not only is it a breach of fundamental liberties enjoyed for centuries by the British people, it is likely to prove counter-productive in the fight against terrorism," he said."Not only is it a breach of fundamental liberties enjoyed for centuries by the British people, it is likely to prove counter-productive in the fight against terrorism," he said.
Liberal Democrat spokesman Nick Clegg added: "Unless some real evidence is produced, the suspicion will only grow that this is being pushed forward for political reasons, not because of a demonstrable need in law."Liberal Democrat spokesman Nick Clegg added: "Unless some real evidence is produced, the suspicion will only grow that this is being pushed forward for political reasons, not because of a demonstrable need in law."